Which Liferaft?

Piers

Piers

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 Jun 2001
Messages
3,598
Location
Guernsey, Channel Islands
www.playdeau.com
Having ordered a replacement Zodiac liferaft last year for delivery in May 2018 to replace my Zodiac Class Ocean 6, I was later told that Zodiac had delays and couldn't deliver until October 2018.

Nearing the date, I was advised Zodiac would not be making any liferafts until early 2019. Now, I've been advised Zodiac will not be making any liferafts until 2020. Apparently due to the material not passing approval.

Any recommendations for an alternative?
 
Seago. Does what it says on the tin. I will be replacing my 14yo Seago either this year or next with the same.

I self serviced it 4 years ago and it was perfect. Despite not having a 'premium' brand name (and price) they get great reviews.
 
ctva said:
Seago. Does what it says on the tin. I will be replacing my 14yo Seago either this year or next with the same.

I self serviced it 4 years ago and it was perfect. Despite not having a 'premium' brand name (and price) they get great reviews.
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+1. I bought directly from them and found them super helpful. They sold me a newly serviced ex demo (never deployed) for a super good price.
 
Yes, I went down to Liverpool with my Seago to watch it being serviced.

Despite it not being a 'brand' I would have considered if it hadn't come with the boat, I was really impressed with what I saw when it was opened up and inflated.
 
I like ocean safety. They're among the uber quality brands (though not the only one obviously). The canisters are flat, thin and rectangular so they look slick when stored visibly as well as fitting nicely into lockers. I hate the canisters that look curvy and pumped up.
 
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Hi,

I have gone to maritime training, and I think that the only right (boarding ramp) step to get Liferaft is filling the air tube not only canvas or belts, other types of the staircase is really hard to get the liferaft up to the water is smooth, Or if the wave is more than 1 meter it may be impossible to climb if the board's ramp is just a fabric structure, as it is often, depends on your muscles amount and your weight or whether you have to strain yourself just. This is my experience testing different types of Liferaft held in the test / training in the calm water and +1m waves.

And this is my choise...

https://www.viking-life.com/en/yach...ersons-natural-rubber-hi-vis-yellow-4-persons

And a link to a very good product presentation video https://youtu.be/ebYEDxgEEFA
NBs
 
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NBs said:
Hi,

I have gone to maritime training, and I think that the only right (boarding ramp) step to get Liferaft is filling the air tube not only canvas or belts, other types of the staircase is really hard to get the liferaft up to the water is smooth, Or if the wave is more than 1 meter it may be impossible to climb if the board's ramp is just a fabric structure, as it is often, depends on your muscles amount and your weight or whether you have to strain yourself just. This is my experience testing different types of Liferaft held in the test / training in the calm water and +1m waves.

And this is my choise...

https://www.viking-life.com/en/yach...ersons-natural-rubber-hi-vis-yellow-4-persons

And a link to a very good product presentation video https://youtu.be/ebYEDxgEEFA
NBs
Click to expand...
That looks excellent. Probably the best.
 
Piers make sure to get 3yr service interval type because at your boat size you must by law have in date LR when >3nm from shore. Ocean Safety and the above rather nice Viking are 3 year types.
 

Hi Piers,

I looked at Ocean safety models and SOLAS series looks good and the ISO series Ocean charter both liferaft are ok, unfortunately these others give you a sense of security, but may be that you never get into these liferafts inside when you need them due to low ramp fabric vs inflatable a higher ramp. The difference is practically enormous when you wear watery clothes and any waves, this is my experience in training.

https://www.oceansafety.com/product-range/liferafts/category/iso

NBs
 
Thanks so much for the info. I'll be looking at the Ocean Safety LRs this week. I take the point about entering a LR and remember the training we had during a sea-survival practical.

Again, thanks for the advice. Piers
 
NBs said:
The difference is practically enormous
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After googling briefly for Viking stuff, the most outstanding difference which I noticed is the price.
I should not use any fuel for a whole summer, in order to buy one of those things... :eek:
...and if I would, I could as well not have a liferaft at all, I reckon! :D
 
NBs said:
Hi,

I have gone to maritime training, and I think that the only right (boarding ramp) step to get Liferaft is filling the air tube not only canvas or belts, other types of the staircase is really hard to get the liferaft up to the water is smooth, Or if the wave is more than 1 meter it may be impossible to climb if the board's ramp is just a fabric structure, as it is often, depends on your muscles amount and your weight or whether you have to strain yourself just. This is my experience testing different types of Liferaft held in the test / training in the calm water and +1m waves.

And this is my choise...

https://www.viking-life.com/en/yach...ersons-natural-rubber-hi-vis-yellow-4-persons

And a link to a very good product presentation video https://youtu.be/ebYEDxgEEFA
NBs
Click to expand...

+1 on the difficulty in getting into a life raft from the water. I suspect that many leisure boaters may not appreciate this because few undertake sea survival training and thankfully few experience using a raft in anger. Having done the STCW95 suite of courses, which includes life raft drills I can say that it is incredibly difficult, even in the benign environment of a swimming pool. The golden rule is to get down into the raft from the vessel if at all possible.

The step on this raft with a boarding step looks as though it would be a good option.
 
Piers look at Plastimo, I am on my second. A large manufacturer iirc 5 years to first service then every three.
We have the catalogue at work if you want to see it.
Very good kit.
 
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